Buzzing

Posted on 25 Jan 2020 @ 11:13am by Ensign Daniel Walsh

476 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Epilogue
Location: Gamma Command
Timeline: December 29, 2389 | 1420 Hours

The young engineer was buzzing with excitement.

Since graduating from the Academy three years ago, Ensign Daniel Walsh had been serving as a propulsion specialist on the Excelsior-class U.S.S. Livingston. She’d survived the Cardassian Border Wars of the 2350s, the Federation-Klingon War and the Dominion War, both in the 2370s, not to mention any number of standalone battles and skirmishes in between.

Six months ago, Starfleet Command decreed that the Livingston was to be decommissioned. Some of her crew would retire along with her while the rest would receive new assignments. A few weeks ago, the Livingston slipped into drydock at the Antares Shipyards for the final time.

For three years he’d wanted to be assigned somewhere else, somewhere more exciting, a ship more modern than the venerable Excelsior-class Livingston. Now that dream was finally about the be a reality. Once the Livingston was decommissioned, Ensign Walsh received orders to report aboard the U.S.S. Black Hawk, once again as Propulsion Specialist.

Petty Officer Brajol looked up from his console as Daniel stepped into the transporter room. “Good afternoon, Ensign. Where are you heading?”

“The U.S.S. Black Hawk.” Walsh replied, the mixture of pride and excitement evident in his voice. As the transporter operator co-ordinated the transport with the Black Hawk, Daniel stepped up onto the transporter pad.

After a few seconds, the Petty Officer gave a nod and announced, “You’re good to go.”

“Energise.” Daniel ordered, grinning from ear to ear. Within seconds the station’s transporter room was dissolving around him and was gradually replaced by one of the Black Hawks.

Walsh stepped down from the transporter pad as the officer manning the room greeted him. “Welcome aboard the Black Hawk, Ensign.”

“Thanks.” Daniel replied with a smile. “It’s good to be here.”

The quartermaster had transmitted his room assignment ahead of Daniel’s arrival so as soon as he got his bearings, he would be able to find his quarters easily enough. The label on the door opposite the transporter room indicated that he was on Deck 6.

“Four decks down.” Daniel muttered to himself as he started towards the nearest turbolift. As he walked, he began checking off his next steps. Find his quarters and spend a few minutes unpacking the few belongings he brought with him and settling in, find the Chief Engineer and report for duty and get stuck into work.

It took him less than five minutes to find his quarters and, upon entering his access code, he walked into his new home. They weren’t much but they were all his. Back on the Livingston, he’d had to share with one of the Ensign’s from the science department. He tossed the duffel bag on the bed and began pulling out its contents.

He was still buzzing with excitement.

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